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The problem with Linux as a desktop environment is the system administration including application installation as well as self-configuration of devices. No one has taken on the problem of administration of installation and configuration of applications in a serious way until Linspire came along.

So this article talking about disillusionment with Linux as a desktop box is a yawner for me. Wake me up when the corps who have adopted Linspire abandon it for Windows.

This functionality would be extremely nice to have. Does anybody know if there actually any plans to make this merge happen?

Amail, Bmail, Cmail, Dmail, Email, Fmail, Gmail, Hmail, Imail, Jmail, Kmail, Lmail, Mmail, Nmail, Omail, Pmail, Qmail, Rmail, Smail, Tmail, Umail, Vmail, Wmail, Xmail, Ymail, and Zmail

Sorry.

Dansguardian - This is a particularly wacky one. If one downloads the source code, isn't he then able to use it however he wants? Or distribute it?

CMSimple

An interesting consequence of the GPL is that even though software is sold under the GPL, it may then be redistributed (in binary and source) by anyone. A discussion and demonstration of this can be found here.

http://linspire.com/

Actually, I think he did.

This is from an interview with Jay Moore.

Jay Moore - Marketing Director for GarageGames Jay's wildly diverse background includes serving as Marketing Director for a computer magazine publishing company, Sales and Marketing Director for a K-12 educational software distributor, and President of a small advertising design firm. Jay started his gaming career with "The Even More Incredible Machine!" when he took the game into the classroom. Jay worked to bring all the Sierra educational games into the educational channel. Then worked with Dynamix in 1997 to successfully launch category-creator "Driver's Education." Jay joined GarageGames in July of this year. He has a BS is Biblical Studies and lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Another analyst added, "they pay 5 guys to sit around and post blog entries to the internet. They don't even write their own content; they just cut and paste what other people send them. They don't even correct glaring spelling errors or correct obvious factual inconsistencies".

Furthermore, industry pundits have also revealed the truth around the questionable business practices being exposed by the lack of demand for LNUX stock. It appears that Linux's own community has begun to change their collective viewpoint.

"If linux is so great", said one, "why did they change their name from VA Linux"?

Why would linux users want to connect to AOL?

Most Linux users wouldn't. However, there are many AOL users that would like to be able to use Linux (or _I_ would like them to be abe to use Linux) and not have their entire AOL experience changed. While Penggy is a great idea, it does _not_ replace the AOL software, and for many people, AOL _is_ the internet. They have no idea wtf an antivirus is or that windows update even exists. They run Win9x on a 233, beefed up with some RAM, that their grandkid gave to them 3 years ago. All they know is that when they click on the little icon, a moment or 2 later their told that they've got mail.
I deal with these folks on a daily basis.

I have no idea how this new thing works, but it would seem to be just a dialer, which is unfortunate. Something along the lines of actual AOL software, instead of just a dialer, would help me out immensely moving people over to Linux. In my business, I deal almost exclusively with home users, many of whom use AOL. There hasn't been a viable Linux solution for them. Perhaps we'll see how viable this is.
The following line from Linspire's website makes me a bit apprehensive:
"The AOL Dialer for Linux is not endorsed, supported or certified by America Online, Inc."

The blub linked says "Available free to all Linspire users, ..." but says nothing about non-Linspire users.

Question: is this available for non-Linspire machines?

The code link on the Linspire page seems broken - the correct one is here

The blub linked says "Available free to all Linspire users, ..." but says nothing about non-Linspire users.

Question: is this available for non-Linspire machines?

The code link on the Linspire page seems broken - the correct one is here

And what about distributing XP SE as an add-on pack with some Linux distribution (http://linspire.com/?) to run ANY Windows application?

I've beenehaving fun with the bootable Linspire Live CD http://www.linspire.com/ (used to be called Lindows). It looks and smells like Windows XP, but if Linux based. It includes Mozilla, OpenOffice, etc. The main virtue is that it's entirely unbreakable. It runs directly from the CD, making it impossible to corrupt it, infect it, or damage the OS in any way. The downside is that it can't easily be customized. But, after booting, you could always walk up to the machine with a Flash drive and run a script to apply your organizations customizations to the copy runningin memory.

And some of those things they sell on mexican streetcorners that click loudly when you shake them.

What good is this when we already have Linspire's lsongs?

I think this might be what you are asking for? It might not be "geek" pure but it fits your criteria, as do several OEM built Mandrake PCs from HP and Shuttle.

You can download RC3 here. The upgrade time is even shorter than SP2 if you do a "take over disk" method!

http://www.linspire.com/RunLinspireFlash.php

See
http://www.linspire.com/RunLinspireFlash.php

(flash - very funny)

http://www.linspire.com/RunLinspireFlash.php

http://www.linspire.com/RunLinspireFlash.php
http://www.linspire.com/RunLinspireFlash.php

They claimed Windows compatibility (and poured money into the WINE project) prematurely, when it looked like it may be possible to actually accomplish it. Once it became clear that it wasn't going to happen, they did away with that marketing bullet-point.

Linspire also contributes heavily to a range of OSS projects, such as WINE, GAIM, Mozilla, NVu, Reiser4, etc. Xandros, on the other hand, doesn't (AFAIK).

Not to mention that they managed to do the unthinkable: get Linux into Wal-Mart and other mainstream places. They've gotten the topic a hell of a lot of press, too.

I'd say their distro may even come second to their bolstering of the "you don't have to settle for Windows" crowd.

What a liar!

It appears Michael Robertson is nothing but a liar!

I'm not sure that it's a complete ripoff, but there are certainly similarities. This wouldn't be a first for Lindows/Linspire (it seems they're behind PhoneGaim), either. See LPhoto (iPhoto) and LSongs (iTunes) for enlightenment. I won't complain: they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

As far as Voicemail in iChat, I post this from the Tiger developer preview, and I don't see anything related to voicemail yet. It could, of course, come later.

I'm not sure that it's a complete ripoff, but there are certainly similarities. This wouldn't be a first for Lindows/Linspire (it seems they're behind PhoneGaim), either. See LPhoto (iPhoto) and LSongs (iTunes) for enlightenment. I won't complain: they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

As far as Voicemail in iChat, I post this from the Tiger developer preview, and I don't see anything related to voicemail yet. It could, of course, come later.

Say what you want about Lindows, but these guys are consistently delivering useful programs for Linux. First nvu for html editing, then Lsongs, then Lphoto and now PhoneGaim. Bashing Lindows is almost an olympic sport on Slashdot, but they are out-delivering all other desktop Linux companies put together.

Also, all those programs and constant updates are one click easy via their CNR technology which also gets routinely disparaged. Meanwhile posts to slashdot complain about makefiles and such not working. Now that is poetic justice.

And every one of those programs is open source so while it may debut on Linspire it's available to all. Desktop linux needs Lindows and 3 more companies like it.

Looks like you're building from source. http://software.linspire.com/emptypool//lindowsos/ pool/main/g/gaim/gaim_0.79-1.0.0.45.lindows0.5.tar .gz

With all these governments considering OpenSource software, is there any talk of them donating money to some of the more important projects -- e.g. KDE and other Desktop and Office oriented software that will be critical for corporate adoption. Do any of the major distros (besides this one) help fund many OSS projects? Just curious.

If they use Linspire all they have to do is open CNR and install the program with one click. Could not be easier.

The Linspire DVD Player seems to have been around since at least LinSpire 4.5 (does anyone know how old 4.5 is?). Looks like it's based on Xine.

It's is the only linux distro I know of that will literally speak to you as if you're an idiot with Audiot Assist Tutorials!

"All Dell computers sold by Questar will be equipped with word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software and file compatibility with Microsoft Office."

Linspire comes with Open Office 1.1.

While there is a great deal of compatability between Open Office and MS Office, there are still issues
Sounds a little misleading to me.

Linspire DVD Player

You have to install Linspire as the OS though.

Linspire, previously known as LindowsOS (also Lin---s, pronounced as Lindash), is a Linux distribution based on Debian. It targets the consumer user - its distributors market it more intensively than all other Unix-based or Unix-like distributions except Mac OS X. As Lindows, it was the first Linux distribution to replace Windows in home consumer desktop systems at a substantially lower price than Microsoft Windows.

Michael Robertson, the founder and former CEO of MP3.com functions as the CEO of Lindows, Inc. It is still called "Lindows, Inc" even though the product is now Linspire.

Microsoft Corporation sued Lindows, Inc for its use of the term "Windows", which Microsoft claimed constituted a trademark infringement. In February 2004, a judge rejected two of Microsoft's central claims. Though Microsoft lost the core of its case, and says it will appeal the decision, for uncertain reasons it also called the decision "a victory". (See Microsoft vs Lindows for more information.) Lindows was renamed Linspire to avoid further legal action by Microsoft. Michael Robertson called the legal action "Sextuple Jeopardy", which is like "Double Jeopardy" but sextupled.

Lindows, Inc had the initial goal of developing a Linux-based operating system capable of running major Windows applications as well. It based its Windows compatibility on the development of WINE by the Linspire team. Lindows.com later abandoned its initial approach in favor of making Linux applications easy to download, install and use. They achieved this using an application called Click-N-Run, a program based on Debian's Advanced Packaging Tool, providing an easy-to-use interface and a slightly modified package system for an annual fee (apt-get costs no money, but has less user-friendliness). Click-N-Run has over 1,000 pieces of software for download.

Lindows, Inc sponsors many open-source projects and events, including the Gaim instant messaging client, the KDE-Apps.org (http://www.kde-apps.org/) and KDE-Look.org (http://www.kde-look.org/) websites, and the Nvu project, which has started to develop an open-source WYSIWYG website editor (based on the Mozilla composer code) to rival FrontPage. In the past, Linspire.com has contributed over $500,000 to the WINE project.

Editions

Several varieties of Linspire, known as editions, target different markets. Three main editions exist: Standard, Developer and Laptop.

• Standard - The standard edition offers the standard distributions, intended for most consumer desktops.
• Developer - A version designed for developers, this version comes with many development tools such as text editors, compilers and libaries for developing software.
• Laptop - A version of Linspire optimized for notebook computers, which have different hardware requirements from desktop computers.
• LindowsLive! - Potential users can download a no-cost LiveCD version of Linspire in ISO image format from P2P networks.

External links

• Linspire Website
• LindowsLive! on Peer-To-Peer Networks
• Unofficial Linspire/Lindows forum

Linspire, previously known as LindowsOS (also Lin---s, pronounced as Lindash), is a Linux distribution based on Debian. It targets the consumer user - its distributors market it more intensively than all other Unix-based or Unix-like distributions except Mac OS X. As Lindows, it was the first Linux distribution to replace Windows in home consumer desktop systems at a substantially lower price than Microsoft Windows.

Michael Robertson, the founder and former CEO of MP3.com functions as the CEO of Lindows, Inc. It is still called "Lindows, Inc" even though the product is now Linspire.

Microsoft Corporation sued Lindows, Inc for its use of the term "Windows", which Microsoft claimed constituted a trademark infringement. In February 2004, a judge rejected two of Microsoft's central claims. Though Microsoft lost the core of its case, and says it will appeal the decision, for uncertain reasons it also called the decision "a victory". (See Microsoft vs Lindows for more information.) Lindows was renamed Linspire to avoid further legal action by Microsoft. Michael Robertson called the legal action "Sextuple Jeopardy", which is like "Double Jeopardy" but sextupled.

Lindows, Inc had the initial goal of developing a Linux-based operating system capable of running major Windows applications as well. It based its Windows compatibility on the development of WINE by the Linspire team. Lindows.com later abandoned its initial approach in favor of making Linux applications easy to download, install and use. They achieved this using an application called Click-N-Run, a program based on Debian's Advanced Packaging Tool, providing an easy-to-use interface and a slightly modified package system for an annual fee (apt-get costs no money, but has less user-friendliness). Click-N-Run has over 1,000 pieces of software for download.

Lindows, Inc sponsors many open-source projects and events, including the Gaim instant messaging client, the KDE-Apps.org (http://www.kde-apps.org/) and KDE-Look.org (http://www.kde-look.org/) websites, and the Nvu project, which has started to develop an open-source WYSIWYG website editor (based on the Mozilla composer code) to rival FrontPage. In the past, Linspire.com has contributed over $500,000 to the WINE project.

Editions

Several varieties of Linspire, known as editions, target different markets. Three main editions exist: Standard, Developer and Laptop.

• Standard - The standard edition offers the standard distributions, intended for most consumer desktops.
• Developer - A version designed for developers, this version comes with many development tools such as text editors, compilers and libaries for developing software.
• Laptop - A version of Linspire optimized for notebook computers, which have different hardware requirements from desktop computers.
• LindowsLive! - Potential users can download a no-cost LiveCD version of Linspire in ISO image format from P2P networks.

External links

• Linspire Website
• LindowsLive! on Peer-To-Peer Networks
• Unofficial Linspire/Lindows forum

First, "mostly open source" doesn't mean "open source". Second, it's not $5. Third, it only runs on Linspire. What about Debian, Slackware, Redhat, and every other flavor of linux? I think they just got screwed.

Key Features:

* Flawless DVD playback - licensed decryption codecs play commerical discs
* Broad multimedia support - dozens of video, audio and streaming media formats
* Affordable - just $4.95 for Warehouse members; $39.95 for non-members

Its based on Xine, and it dosen't suck!

Somebody ruined your fun!

for $5 (which is really reasonable) you can get a legal, mostly open source DVD player for linux. here . The fact that linux users won't buy software is another thing.

Only $4.95 and it's yours!

Its called Linspire DVD player!

Only $4.95!

For only $4.95! Why are the mods fucked up with crack all the time?

Its called the Linspire DVD player!

Linspire has had a dvd player for Linux for a long time. Only $4.95!

Relevant excerpt: "...The marriage of Linspire and Sub300.com computer systems is made in heaven. Linspire allows Sub300.com to include an operating system at the price some others sell their systems with no operating system at all." -- Marc Silverman, President, Sub300.com[emphasis added].

"Computer systems for well under $500"!!!!!

No... wait... it's just the same as Sub300.com but 200$ more expensive.

"Computer systems for under $300!"

On that note, it seems Lindows needs to update their Linspire testimonials page. "The marriage of Linspire and Sub300.com computer systems is made in heaven" -- Marc Silverman, President, Sub300.com

In fairness, it looks like The "Click-N-Run" is $49 initially for one year. Not sure what the renewal costs, but I think you just buy another one year licence.

Apt-get is free and great for experienced users, but it can be tough for new users to understand. Packages aren't always organized cleanly, and there is lots of old kruft on the Debian tree (How many text editors would a non-techie need?).

I've easily spent more then $49/year of my personal time dealing with problems from Apt-get.

I get like 100 worms sending me email a week, from random IP addresses, all unpatched Windows systems. I assume that the massive piracy that MS talks about and blocks service packs for, have been infected by worms and are sending out virus emails to infect other systems.

Basically screw Microsoft, ditch the pirated copy of XP, and go to Linux or OpenBSD or some other OS which is virtually free. You will avoid legal trouble, and won't be spreading around any more worms. Linspire (nee Lindows) costs $50USD to download, but it is the best consumer version of Linux I have yet to see. I have a machine running it, and I love it. One less Microsoft license I have to buy when it is time to upgrade the OS on that machine. Learn to use F/OSS Goodies on Windows and they will be there for you on Linux and OpenBSD as well.

Soon after you made the switch to Linux or OpenBSD, you will forget your old worm and SP problems that XP suffered from.

I get like 100 worms sending me email a week, from random IP addresses, all unpatched Windows systems. I assume that the massive piracy that MS talks about and blocks service packs for, have been infected by worms and are sending out virus emails to infect other systems.

Basically screw Microsoft, ditch the pirated copy of XP, and go to Linux or OpenBSD or some other OS which is virtually free. You will avoid legal trouble, and won't be spreading around any more worms. Linspire (nee Lindows) costs $50USD to download, but it is the best consumer version of Linux I have yet to see. I have a machine running it, and I love it. One less Microsoft license I have to buy when it is time to upgrade the OS on that machine. Learn to use F/OSS Goodies on Windows and they will be there for you on Linux and OpenBSD as well.

Soon after you made the switch to Linux or OpenBSD, you will forget your old worm and SP problems that XP suffered from.

Antivirus Software?